Vancouver Observer’s grizzly trophy hunt investigation hits legislature

The Vancouver Observer's months-long investigative work into the controversial grizzly trophy hunt in the province was quoted in the B.C. legislature on Monday.

The investigation included poring over 1,600 pages of FOI-released government e-mails that showed: the BC Liberals approved the expansion of the grizzly hunt against overwhelming opposition last year; bureaucrats musing about the potential benefits of an uptick in grizzlies for mining in B.C.'s interior; and a wildlife biologist bickering that government grizzly bear maps had not been updated in three decades.

The findings prompted journalistic travel to Tshilqot'in lands where local First Nations leaders said the hunt in their area is "illegal." Although consultation did occur, ultimately the province pulled the trigger to re-open the hunt in 2014 against strong local views.

By summer 2014, the Tshilqot'in won an historic Supreme Court land rights decision, and an an agreement was made to allow five guide outfitters to operate on Title land, none of which have grizzly hunt quotas. The issue is still contentious regarding grizzly hunting for the wilderness areas that are just off the Title lands but still on Tshilqot'in territory.

Tshilqot'in Chief Roger William, of the Xeni Gwet'in band, was surprised when a Vancouver Observer reporter informed him recently that the province had tripled the hunt in the non-Title Tshilqot'in areas from three to nine for the 2015 grizzly hunt. He said that increase in hunting licences was made with no consultation, and was "mind boggling."

Chief William said recently there needs to be much more scientific research to determine the facts about grizzly bear numbers.

The NDP’s Aboriginal relations critic — Alberni-Pacific Rim MLA Scott Fraser — rose to raise questions of the BC Liberals.

“Madam Speaker, the Chilcotin spent more than two decades in the courts in order to get an historic judgement that recognized Aboriginal Title over a significant portion of their traditional territory.”